A Very Large Expanse of Sea

Going to breakdancing practice one afternoon, Shirin hears someone in the hall trying to get her attention. It is Ocean, returning her phone that she dropped. She thanks him and they stand awkwardly until nearby cheerleaders call Ocean away. Shirin cannot sleep that night despite writing at length in her diary, which she carries with her all the time. She turns on her desktop computer, “a bulky, unwieldy thing” (67) that her mother constructed for a computer course. When she checks Instant Messenger, Ocean happens to be on. He messages right away. Shirin is nervous. Ocean asks about her IM name, jujehpolo, and Shirin explains that it is a nickname from her family meaning small, chicken, and rice. Ocean says he likes Persian food, like hummus and falafel; Shirin quickly corrects him, as those are not Persian. Ocean suggests, “Maybe someday you can show me what Persian food is” (71). When Shirin says no Persian restaurants exist in their area, Ocean suggests coming to her house for dinner. This suggestion flusters Shirin: “I had no idea what the actual hell had just happened” (72).